This is an "unaltered" republication of Ernest Weekley's 1921 work, now published in two volumes. Professor Weekley taught French and was head of the modern languages department at University College, Nottingham. He referred to his students as "gentlemen", although this was evidently with sarcasm. [iv] The Preface, written in 1920, remains one of the best descriptions of the difficulties (and rewards) of rooting through the "dim regions" of word-forms [vi]. Express note and leave-taking is made of the fact that much of the scholarly tracing is speculation, even "fraud" [xii]. For example, the origins of "Bachelor" are speculative. ( )

Wikipedia in English (4)

Volume 1 of 2. Classic contains most of the more common words, plus slang, archaic words and phrases, and common foreign words. Roots are identified, cross-references to words with similar roots are listed and colloquial usages and alternate spellings are given. "Notable for its readable historical discussions, apt citations and jargonless clarity" — Saturday Review.